KPWKM will introduce a skills development programme for schoolgirls next year to foster marketable skills and career pathways early.
SUBANG: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) will introduce a skills development programme for schoolgirls next year to help them identify career pathways and develop marketable skills from an early age.
Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the ministry is working with the Education Department to determine a suitable time and implementation approach for the programme, which will expose participants to practical skills and opportunities aligned with current market and industry needs.
She said the initiative would move beyond academic exposure by giving schoolgirls an early understanding of the skills and career options available to them, enabling them to make more informed decisions about their future.
“We want to expose them to these opportunities while they are still in school so that they can better understand the paths available and identify what they may want to pursue in the future.”
The minister said this to reporters after launching the Future-Ready Women: Leading Malaysia Through Transformation Programme at CelcomDigi Hub here today.
Nancy said KPWKM had identified several products and skills with market potential that could be introduced under the programme, with the aim of helping participants translate the skills they acquire into future economic opportunities.
“There are many products in the market today. We want young people to learn relevant skills so that, eventually, they can monetise what they have learned,” she said.
The pilot programme in Santubong will serve as the starting point for the ministry’s broader effort to equip girls with practical, market-relevant skills while they are still in school.
Earlier, in her keynote address, Nancy said efforts to empower women must begin early, particularly by ensuring girls have opportunities to explore technology, build digital skills and recognise their potential as future leaders.
She said women must be equipped to participate actively in an economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, digitalisation and connectivity.
“As artificial intelligence and connectivity transform our lives, women must be more than users of technology. They must also be creators, innovators and decision-makers.
“By nurturing their curiosity, creativity and ability to adapt, we can prepare them to contribute confidently to Malaysia’s digital economy and assume leadership roles in the years ahead,” she said.
Nancy said providing such exposure at different stages of life would help ensure women are better prepared to respond to changes in the economy and workforce.
Held in conjunction with the National Women’s Day 2026 celebrations, the programme brought together more than 200 leaders and representatives from the government, industry and corporate sectors to discuss ways to equip women with the skills and capabilities needed to navigate a rapidly changing economic landscape.
